MIL Africa Engine

Source: APO – Report:

As Africa’s leading entertainment platform, MultiChoice (www.MultiChoice.com) is setting a bold benchmark for corporate citizenship, not only on screens, but in communities across the continent. With the release of its 2025 Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Report, the Group reaffirms its commitment to building a more inclusive, ethical, and sustainable Africa.

“This report doesn’t just sum up what we’ve done – it’s a call to keep building a future that’s more inclusive, more sustainable and more connected,” says Calvo Mawela, Group CEO of MultiChoice. “Whether we’re backing entrepreneurs, nurturing talent, or promoting climate solutions, our purpose stays the same: to enrich lives and deliver real, lasting value across Africa.”

Aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), MultiChoice’s ESG strategy targets areas where it can make the greatest impact from clean energy and climate action to education, equity, and economic growth.

Impact through film and sports development 

From film sets to football fields, MultiChoice continues to unlock opportunity through education, training, and community development.

The MultiChoice Talent Factory (MTF) has trained 486 emerging filmmakers across 14 countries. In FY2025, 86 graduates completed the programme, which includes mentorship, masterclasses, and production placements with partners like Zee World, Sony, and the Mastercard Foundation.

Sport remains a cornerstone of MultiChoice’s social impact. The DStv Schools Netball Challenge reached over 28,000 schoolgirls from 2,800 schools – with standout teams like Khombindlela High earning provincial recognition. 

The DStv Diski Challenge, celebrating its 10th year, has helped over 350 players enter professional football. In the last season alone, 23 players were selected for national U17 and U20 squads, while 19 earned Premiership promotion.

Through the Let’s Play programme, more than 140,000 learners now benefit from school-based sports infrastructure. And in 2025, 250 teachers completed training through Premier Skills, a coaching development partnership with the English Premier League.

Shaping environmental impact through innovation and collaboration 

Africa is one of the world’s most climate-vulnerable regions and MultiChoice is acting with urgency and intention.

In the last year, MultiChoice recorded a carbon footprint of 72,399 tonnes of CO₂ equivalent (Scopes 1 & 2), showing steady progress in emissions reduction. More than 1 million kilowatt-hours of renewable energy were generated through solar and green infrastructure, while 7,048 trees were planted across local communities to boost biodiversity.

MultiChoice also partnered with The Earthshot Prize, the world’s leading environmental award, to bring the 2024 ceremony to Cape Town – the first time it was hosted in Africa. The event, broadcast across the continent, spotlighted local innovators including Kenya’s Keep It Cool and Ghana’s GAYO, both recognised for breakthrough climate solutions.

Since 2021, Africa has produced 10 Earthshot finalists, 3 winners, and nearly 400 nominations in 2024 alone, with over £6 million raised to fund African-led sustainability efforts.

Bold anti-piracy action to safeguard contentGovernance is the backbone of MultiChoice’s ESG approach. Its sustainability disclosures align with GRI and JSE guidelines, underpinned by Board-level oversight and clear ethical principles.

One of the Group’s most active areas is anti-piracy enforcement. In FY2025, MultiChoice supported over 155 raids, resulting in the shutdown of 4,351 illegal networks and the arrest of 107 individuals involved in digital piracy.

The Partners Against Piracy (PAP) coalition also grew its regional footprint. In 2024, Ethiopia became the latest country to formalise cooperation through a Memorandum of Understanding, strengthening the fight against intellectual property theft across the continent.

Inclusive growthBeyond its internal operations, MultiChoice plays a catalytic role in advancing economic inclusion by supporting black-owned, women-led, and youth-driven enterprises.

MultiChoice’s economic footprint extends beyond direct employment, with significant investments in black-owned businesses and women-led enterprises. The MultiChoice Innovation Fund (MIF) supported 79 black-owned SMMEs, with 50% women-owned businesses benefiting from over R410 million in funding. This has created 1,000+ jobs and provided key support for sustainable local growth.

In addition, the Youth Employment Service (YES) created 1,980 new jobs in FY2025, providing opportunities for young South Africans to gain experience and access career pathways in the media and digital industries.

“Through all of this, it’s the people around us – our customers, employees, partners, and communities – who give us strength,” adds Mawela. “ESG isn’t a side project. It’s part of who we are and how we show up for Africa every day.”

To learn more about MultiChoice’s ESG pillars and performance, download the full 2025 ESG Report at: www.MultiChoice.com 

– on behalf of MultiChoice Group.

Source: APO – Report:

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His Majesty King Mohammed VI sent a message of congratulations to President of the French Republic Emmanuel Macron, on the occasion of his country’s national day.

In this message, the Sovereign expresses His warmest congratulations to President Macron and His best wishes for the happiness and prosperity of France and the French people.

“Having expressed the wish to build a future rooted in solidarity, our two countries are once again, as in every pivotal moment of their shared history, working to reshape their cooperation in order to better meet the demands of the present”, His Majesty the King writes in the message.

The Sovereign stresses that “the Reinforced exceptional partnership whose foundations we have laid is proof of our firm determination to approach the future of bilateral relations with a long-term strategic vision”.

HM the King took the opportunity to assure President Macron of Morocco’s willingness to advance the implementation of this Reinforced exceptional partnership, “in the same spirit of trust and mutual esteem that guided its foundation, and in line with the high ambitions that Your Excellency and I share for the Morocco-France friendship”.

– on behalf of Kingdom of Morocco – Ministry of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates.

Source: APO – Report:

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Agriculture ministers and top-level policymakers from 14 African countries will meet with their counterparts from three Asian countries in Hanoi on 15 July 2025 to discuss making agrifood production more efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable to reduce high levels of hunger, malnutrition and poverty in both regions.

The High-Level Inter-regional Knowledge Exchange on One Country One Priority Product (OCOP) Models, co-organized by the Government of Viet Nam and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), is the first intercontinental dialogue on agrifood systems transformation, guided by the FAO ‘Four Betters’ vision – Better Production, Better Nutrition, a Better Environment and a Better Life, leaving no one behind.

The dialogue is an initiative of FAO Director-General QU Dongyu to familiarize developing countries in Africa with Viet Nam’s success in agrifood systems transformation, which is helping reduce wide urban-rural economic disparities in the Southeast Asian nation.

The event includes an exchange of national experiences in implementing FAO’s flagship One Country One Priority Product (OCOP) initiative, which was launched in 2021 to promote sustainable value chains of special agricultural products with unique geographical and cultural traits.

“We look forward to this exchange of knowledge and ideas, and to learn together how to transform agrifood systems for the benefit of all,” said Alue Dohong, FAO Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative for Asia and the Pacific, in a video message ahead of the event.  

“This special event in Viet Nam offers a critical opportunity for Africa and Asia to learn from one another. Sharing knowledge, exchanging experiences, and building partnerships are vital to overcoming the common challenges we face, building on each other’s successes, and ensuring no one is left behind,” said Abebe Haile-Gabriel, FAO Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative for Africa in his video message.

Ministers and top agriculture officials from Bhutan, Cameroon, Cote d‘Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gabon, Ghana, Ethiopia, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Nepal, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, Tunisia, Viet Nam, Zambia and Zimbabwe, will share national perspectives on promoting the Four Betters through the OCOP initiative.

Producing more food with less inputs, making agriculture climate-resilient, sustainable and profitable for all, is critical for both Africa and Asia and the Pacific, the regions with the world’s highest levels of hunger, malnutrition and poverty.

Viet Nam’s agrifood transformation model

The inter-regional knowledge exchange will begin with a briefing on Viet Nam’s transformative One Commune One Product programme, a cornerstone of the country’s rural economic development strategy, and an inspiration for FAO’s OCOP initiative.

Launched nationwide in 2018, it has significantly increased rural incomes and jobs by developing sustainable value chains for local specialties and traditional products. The programme provides comprehensive support for capacity building, product development, quality management and market access, to the rural manufacturers of these special products.

The OCOP Four Betters Models

The agriculture ministers from Africa will also be briefed on how FAO is leveraging science and innovation to accelerate agrifood systems transformation through OCOP implementation in the Asia-Pacific region, in support of the Four Betters.

Strategic partnerships with leading science and innovation centres in the region are enhancing value chains of special agricultural products (SAPs) identified by member countries under the OCOP initiative. This includes the application of an innovative geographical and environmental traceability tool that will increase access of SAPs to high-end markets and incentivize sustainable production.

Nutrition science and technology is also being used for SAPs-based food product development, suited to different age groups and tastes. In addition, OCOP implementation is supporting Asia-Pacific countries with market intelligence to integrate SAPs into national, regional and international markets.

Strengthening the FAO-Viet Nam partnership

The inter-regional exchange further cements the FAO-Viet Nam partnership, anchored in Viet Nam’s active role in the FAO South-South and Triangular Cooperation (SSTC) framework. This was reaffirmed by the signing of an FAO-Viet Nam Memorandum of Understanding, during the FAO Director-General’s visit to Hanoi in February 2025, to promote the sharing of technical knowhow, and institutional and policy experiences under the SSTC framework.

– on behalf of Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO): Regional Office for Africa.

Source: APO – Report:

In the green hills of Rumphi, northern Malawi, the hum of progress can be heard at the newly established Rumphi Technical College. With its modern buildings, new equipment, and a sense of optimism, the college has quickly become a symbol of opportunity. In just four years, enrollment has grown from a small group of students to a thriving community of 534 young men and women, supported by 45 staff members.

These students are full of ambition, hoping that their technical skills will pave the way for a brighter future. But behind the progress lies a daily challenge that affects everyone on campus: the lack of safe and reliable water.

“Sometimes, we’re left with no choice but to send students to fetch water from unprotected sources including a salty borehole left by the contractor,” the college’s principal Akuzike  Nkhoma explained, a concerned expression crossing his face. “It’s neither safe nor sustainable.”

Students share similar worries. They speak of long walks in the early morning to distant water points—time that could be spent in class. Just a few months ago, 100 students were taken to Rumphi District Hospital after a cholera scare on campus. The taps had run dry, and students had turned to unprotected sources, putting their health at serious risk.

The water challenge at the college reflects a broader issue impacting the entire Rumphi community as revealed by a series of community engagements the Board has been conducting to prepare people for the upcoming project implementation. For many households, especially those in higher-altitude areas, access to water is unreliable, limited by the capacity of a small 200,000-liter tank that has long outgrown its ability to serve the town’s needs. 

Francis Munthali, Chief Executive Officer for Northern Region Water Board (NRWB) acknowledges the strain Rumphi’s growth has placed on the aging water system, “Back then, this tank was enough because there weren’t as many people as possible. But now, with more households, schools, and the town expanding, it simply can’t meet the demand.”

“For example, if we are to sustain supply to the college, it means we have to ration in town where there is the main hospital and several facilities needing water. It’s becoming clear that we’re facing a real crisis,” highlights Munthali.

The water supply infrastructure, managed by the NRWB, has reached its limits. The Rumphi Water Supply Scheme was last upgraded in 2003, designed to meet the demands of 2010, estimated at 1.5 million litres per day. Today, however, demand has surged to over 10 million litres per day,  a more than tenfold increase. Despite this, no major rehabilitation work has been done since 2004, and the aging system can only serve 23% of the town’s population. Water is available to residents for just a few hours.

Not surprisingly, frustration echoes across Rumphi customer forums. One resident Dora Mkandawire highlights the toll persistent water challenges are exerting on women.

“We are the most heavily impacted because our society is programmed that it is us women who go to fetch water. These persistent interruptions are stealing our valuable time and affecting our productivity,” laments Mkandawire

The water system is also concentrated in the town, leaving major trading centers reliant on unprotected traditional water sources, such as wells. Additionally, the district lacks a functioning sewer system.

This limited access hampers not only households but also the broader economic potential of the area. In key trading centers along the national M1 road, such as Phwezi, Bwengu, and Enukweni, the situation is even bleaker. These communities rely on unprotected sources, whereas Bolero, home to Senior Chief Chikulamayembe, has a basic community-led gravity-fed water system that struggles to keep pace with local demand. 

Chief Chikulamayembe notes: “Our people need more. Growth centres like ours should have reliable water sources to foster prosperity and health.”

To address these challenges and pave the way for sustainable development, the Northern Region Water Board with financing from the African Development Bank and Malawi Government is implementing the Rumphi Water and Sanitation Services Project. The goal? To turn frustration into relief and ensure no community is left thirsty. 

The project which is expected to increase access to sustainable and climate resilient potable water supply and safely managed sanitation services at Rumphi Town and surrounding areas will benefit over 158 000 people of which 51 percent are expected to be female.

The project will span almost the width and breadth of Rumphi – extending to some parts of Northern Mzimba.

The project is also leaving no stone unturned and no-one behind as it prioritizes all key components including restoration of forest landscapes and ecosystem-based adaptation initiatives for sustainable water supply.

“Under this project, we are upgrading both water and sanitation facilities including planting and nurturing 700 000 trees as part of catchment management. For the first time, Rumphi town will have a proper sewer system to cater for residents apart from improved supply,” explained Catherine Mwafulirwa, Director of Infrastructure Development at Northern Region Water Board. “We are also extending the water supply from the town to new areas such as Bolero, Phwezi, Bwengu and Enukweni. Presently, consultants are on the ground to prepare detailed designs and tendering assistance for both water supply and sanitation works. We expect to recruit contractor for the works before year end.”

In this planting season, the NRWB has planted 264 000 trees according to Mwafulirwa which among other things led to the creation of hundreds of short-term jobs for the local communities in the raising of the nurseries for the tree seedlings as well as the planting exercise.

“Rumphi is growing, but without water and improved sanitation, development stalls,” District Commissioner for Rumphi Emmanuel  Bulukutu laments.  

“This project is critical as it will not only support the thriving Technical College but also improve the quality of life for all residents, fostering a healthier, more prosperous community.

“We will therefore diligently work with the NRWB and all stakeholders to ensure that this project is successfully implemented within the stated period,” adds Bulukutu.

Once completed, the project will complete the water supply puzzle of the M1 road stretch between Mzuzu and Rumphi. It means all people lying along the 83 kilometre Mzuzu-Ekwendeni-Enukweni-Bwengu-Phwezi stretch will have access to safely managed drinking water.

“With reliable water infrastructure and sanitation improvements, Rumphi would be poised to unlock its potential as a vibrant hub of human capital and economic activity in northern Malawi. This change would give students the chance to focus solely on their studies, ensure that households no longer struggle for basic resources, and create an environment where both people and businesses can thrive. For the people of Rumphi, this project isn’t merely about water; it’s about hope, dignity, and a future they can depend on,” emphasized the District Commissioner 

The African Development Bank Group is providing a $32.2 million grant with the Malawi Government contributing $3.67 million for the project to be implemented over a period of 4 years from December 2023 to December 2027.

– on behalf of African Development Bank Group (AfDB).

About the African Development Bank Group:
The African Development Bank Group is Africa’s premier development finance institution. It comprises three distinct entities: the African Development Bank (AfDB), the African Development Fund (ADF) and the Nigeria Trust Fund (NTF). On the ground in 41 African countries with an external office in Japan, the Bank contributes to the economic development and the social progress of its 54 regional member states. For more information: www.AfDB.org

Source: APO – Report:

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More than ten thousand people have completed UNSMIL’s online public poll, submitting their views on the best way to approach the political process to take Libya to elections.  

The Mission encourages all Libyans to put their voices forward before the poll closes. The poll seeks feedback on the Advisory Committee’s four proposed plans to take Libya to elections, preconditions for a successful power transfer, and ways to guarantee progress – among other things. The data collected, along with the outcomes of in-person consultations across the country, will be used to inform the development of the roadmap for the next step of the political process. 

“Public participation is crucial to ensuring a Libyan-led, Libyan-owned political process,” said Special Representative of the Secretary-General Hanna Tetteh. “We want Libyans from all walks of life, across the country to share their opinions and ideas. We are listening.” 

In particular, the Mission would like to hear from more women, cultural components, and people with disabilities. Libyans from the south and east are especially urged to join the conversation.  

In addition to online polling, the Mission will also be undertaking two telephone surveys, delivered through third parties, to ensure that as many people as possible are included in the process. 

Among those who have responded to the poll so far, the largest share indicated that they see unifying state institutions and eliminating political division as the most urgent issues to address, followed by security sector reform.  

When asked how the political division affects their life, respondents indicated their top two concerns were the security situation and a lack of rule of law and accountability for human rights violations.  

“There is no proper education or healthcare, and every day there is a shortage of services – especially in areas where no party has clear influence,” wrote a student from Tripoli. “Every area is ruled by a group or militia, and we don’t know anyone we can turn to in times of hardship. Fear is constant. Prices are skyrocketing and people’s money is blocked in the banks. Unemployment has reached dangerous levels. Then, there is no real justice or accountability.”  

In addition to voting on their favourite of the Advisory Committee’s four proposed roadmaps, more than 3,000 people submitted written ideas to strengthen the political process. Some commonly raised suggestions included: forming a new transitional government to oversee elections with a binding timetable and guaranteeing the people’s right to participate in elections.  

“We should let people decide which kind of country they want to have,” one woman from Zwara wrote. “This can only be done by removing all current characters from the field.” 

A university professor from Wadi Ashshati argued that the Advisory Committee’s first option, which entails conducting simultaneous presidential and legislative elections, was the only option that “represents the voice of all components of Libyan society without exception” and “fully renews legitimacy by eliminating current bodies that have proven their failure.”  

“This is the true path if the United Nations is serious about supporting Libyans to achieve stability and prosperity,” he wrote.  

In support of Option 2, which proposes holding legislative elections first, followed by adopting a permanent constitution, and then holding presidential elections, a woman from Benghazi wrote: “I do not want the current bodies. I want parliamentary elections for a new national assembly with two chambers so that the House of Representatives does not monopolize power.”  

“I believe a permanent constitution will pave the way for fair and free, democratic elections,” wrote an Al Kufra man, voicing support for Option 3, which calls for the adoption of a permanent constitution prior to any elections. This is critical, a Tripoli man wrote, because “the constitution will decide whether the governmental system is a presidential, monarchy or parliamentary system.” 

Another man from Tripoli voted for the Advisory Committee’s fourth option, which proposed a political dialogue forum be launched to establish new transitional arrangements for elections in line with Article 64 of the Libyan Political Agreement, because, he wrote, “of the difficulty of holding elections and unifying the military and security establishment, and the fear that the results will not be accepted by the parties that possess weapons.” Appointing a constituent assembly, he wrote, would help to “enforce election results.”  

Asked about their priority for a political roadmap, respondents were equally divided among the importance of political feasibility, avoiding the extension of transitional periods, and establishing the fastest road to elections. 

One respondent from Azzawya underlined the need to “restore trust between the people and the state.” 

“All parties must be compelled to make concessions for the sake of the country,” wrote a respondent from Ghiryan. 

Results are preliminary.  

– on behalf of United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL).

Source: APO

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The World Health Organization (WHO) released today new guidelines recommending the use of injectable lenacapavir (LEN) twice a year as an additional pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) option for HIV prevention, in a landmark policy action that could help reshape the global HIV response. The guidelines are being issued at the 13th International AIDS Society Conference (IAS 2025) on HIV Science, in Kigali, Rwanda.

LEN, the first twice-yearly injectable PrEP product, offers a highly effective, long-acting alternative to daily oral pills and other shorter-acting options. With just two doses per year, LEN is a transformative step forward in protecting people at risk of HIV – particularly those who face challenges with daily adherence, stigma, or access to health care.

“While an HIV vaccine remains elusive, lenacapavir is the next best thing: a long-acting antiretroviral shown in trials to prevent almost all HIV infections among those at risk,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “The launch of WHO’s new guidelines, alongside the FDA’s recent approval, marks a critical step forward in expanding access to this powerful tool. WHO is committed to working with countries and partners to ensure this innovation reaches communities as quickly and safely as possible.”

The new guidelines come at a critical moment as HIV prevention efforts stagnate with 1.3 million new HIV infections occurring in 2024 – with disproportionate impact among key and priority populations, including sex workers, men who have sex with men, transgender people, people who inject drugs, people in prisons, and children and adolescents. WHO’s recommendation on LEN signals a decisive move to expand and diversify HIV prevention, giving people more options to take control over their health with choices that fit their lives.

Simplified testing: a major barrier removed

As part of these guidelines, WHO has recommended a public health approach to HIV testing using HIV rapid tests to support delivery of long-acting injectable PrEP, including LEN and cabotegravir (CAB-LA). The simplified testing recommendation removes a major access barrier by eliminating complex, costly procedures and enabling community-based delivery of long-acting PrEP through pharmacies, clinics, and tele-health.

Next steps: call for implementation

LEN joins other WHO-recommended PrEP options, including daily oral PrEP, injectable cabotegravir and the dapivirine vaginal ring, as part of a growing arsenal of tools to end the HIV epidemic. While access to LEN outside clinical trials remains limited at the moment, WHO urges governments, donors and global health partners to begin rolling out LEN immediately within national combination HIV prevention programmes – while collecting essential data on uptake, adherence and real-world impact.

Additional WHO recommendations at IAS 2025

For the first time, WHO’s treatment guidelines include a clear recommendation for the use of long-acting injectable cabotegravir and rilpivirine (CAB/RPV) as an alternative switching option for antiretroviral therapy (ART) for adults and adolescents who have achieved full viral suppression on oral ART and do not have active hepatitis B infection. This approach is designed to support people living with HIV facing adherence challenges to oral regimens.

Updated guidelines on service delivery integration include recommendations to integrate HIV services with noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) such as hypertension and diabetes, as well as mental health care for depression, anxiety and alcohol use disorders into HIV services, alongside interventions to support ART adherence. Additionally, new guidelines on management of asymptomatic STIs recommend screening of gonorrhoea and/or chlamydia in key and priority populations.

For people living with HIV who have mpox and are either ART naive or have experienced prolonged ART interruption, rapid initiation of ART is strongly recommended. Additionally, early HIV testing is advised for individuals presenting with suspected or confirmed mpox infection. WHO’s standard operating procedures further emphasize HIV and syphilis testing for all individuals with suspected or confirmed mpox.

In response to the broader challenges facing HIV programmes, WHO has also issued new operational guidance on sustaining priority HIV services in a changing funding landscape. The guidance aims to provide a stepwise framework to help countries prioritize services, assess risks, monitor disruptions, and adapt systems to protect health outcomes and preserve progress.

“We have the tools and the knowledge to end AIDS as a public health problem,” said Dr Meg Doherty, Director of WHO’s Department of Global HIV, Hepatitis and STI Programmes and incoming Director of Science, Research, Evidence and Quality for Health. “What we need now is bold implementation of these recommendations, grounded in equity and powered by communities.”

HIV remains a major global public health issue. By the end of 2024, an estimated 40.8 million people were living with HIV with an estimated 65% in the WHO African Region. Approximately 630 000 people died from HIV-related causes globally, and an estimated 1.3 million people acquired HIV, including 120 000 children. Access to ART continues to expand, with 31.6 million people receiving treatment in 2024, up from 30.3 million in 2023.

At a time of reduced funding for HIV and health, WHO’s new and updated guidelines offer practical, evidence-based strategies to sustain momentum. By expanding prevention and treatment options, simplifying service delivery and promoting integration with broader health services, they support more efficient, equitable, and resilient HIV responses. Now is the moment for bold implementation to ensure these gains translate into real-world impact.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of World Health Organization (WHO).